Al Neuharth: How long should our public officials serve?

Most of our elected public officials - local, state or national - are well worthy of their office. But too many of them want to stay too long.

The latest in both categories was honored this week when New York - and much of the nation - paid tribute to Ed Koch. Like just two of his predecessors, he served as the New York City mayor for 12 years, from 1977 to 1989. Then he tried for a fourth term and was rejected.

I had the privilege and the pleasure of getting to know him when we started USA TODAY.

We opened major market by major market, starting in Washington, D.C., and then south, west and north. After we thought we were ready for the Big Apple, we opened in New York City on April 11, 1983.

Most of the New York City media criticized us for putting the USA TODAY vending machines on most of the street corners.

But when Koch spoke at our New York City introduction, his comment was: "Any company that can bolt down over 3,000 vending machines overnight can't be all bad."

I've followed Koch very closely over his career. I admire most of what he did. But I wish he'd have known when to quit.

No matter where you work, there comes a time when you've been the boss for too long, and you need to sense when that is.

I quit being the boss of Gannett and USA TODAY at 65. Then I went on to found the Freedom Forum and the NEWSEUM before eventually stepping aside there, as well. But I still keep a close eye on them all and offer comments and advice when I think it's necessary in a weekly column that deals with many subjects, personal and professional.

Being the boss shouldn't last forever. But being interested and caring should not end until you die.

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Al Neuharth: How long should our public officials serve?

Public officials should step down when they get too old to be boss, says columnist Al Neuharth.